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COWZ vs. VOO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

COWZ vs. VOO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, COWZ returned 10.98%/yr vs 12.83%/yr for VOO. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. COWZ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

COWZ vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COWZ achieves a 11.74% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 10.16% return.

COWZ

1D
0.19%
1M
4.89%
6M
7.97%
YTD
11.74%
1Y
23.82%
3Y*
11.64%
5Y*
10.98%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
12.98%

VOO

1D
0.71%
1M
0.26%
6M
8.58%
YTD
10.16%
1Y
21.58%
3Y*
19.42%
5Y*
12.83%
10Y*
15.14%
ALL TIME*
14.78%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

COWZ

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF
$65.11M$58.70M$60.07M

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
$3.82B$3.78B$5.44B

COWZ vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		11.74%8.98%10.64%14.73%0.19%42.57%11.65%23.41%-10.05%20.22%
VOO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		10.16%17.82%24.98%26.32%-18.17%28.79%18.32%31.37%-4.50%21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between COWZ and VOO is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.41

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016

0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between COWZ and VOO has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

COWZ vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
COWZ
VOO

Technology

22.9%
38.6%

Healthcare

19.9%
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

14.3%
9.5%

Energy

11.2%
3.0%

Consumer Defensive

10.6%
4.5%

Communication Services

8.8%
9.9%

Industrials

8.4%
8.5%

Basic Materials

4.0%
1.7%

Financial Services

-

11.4%

Real Estate

-

1.8%

Utilities

-

2.2%

Technology

COWZ
22.9%
VOO
38.6%

Healthcare

COWZ
19.9%
VOO
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

COWZ
14.3%
VOO
9.5%

Energy

COWZ
11.2%
VOO
3.0%

Consumer Defensive

COWZ
10.6%
VOO
4.5%

Communication Services

COWZ
8.8%
VOO
9.9%

Industrials

COWZ
8.4%
VOO
8.5%

Basic Materials

COWZ
4.0%
VOO
1.7%

Financial Services

COWZ

-

VOO
11.4%

Real Estate

COWZ

-

VOO
1.8%

Utilities

COWZ

-

VOO
2.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

Often compared with COWZ:
COWZ vs. VFLOCOWZ vs. SCHDCOWZ vs. GCOWCOWZ vs. COWGCOWZ vs. CALFCOWZ vs. VOOVCOWZ vs. COWS
Often compared with VOO:
VOO vs. VTIVOO vs. QQQVOO vs. SCHDVOO vs. VTVOO vs. FXAIXVOO vs. SPYVOO vs. VGT

Return for Risk

COWZ vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
COWZ
COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 8282
Omega Ratio Rank
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
VOO
VOO Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 6666
Omega Ratio Rank
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

COWZ vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

COWZVOODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.93
1.53

+0.39

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.86
2.13

+0.73

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.28

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.83

2.21

+1.62

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

9.44

+1.78

COWZ vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COWZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COWZ and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

COWZ vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COWZ drawdown since its inception was -38.63%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COWZ and VOO.

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Drawdown Indicators

COWZVOODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-38.63%

-33.99%

-4.64%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.95%

-8.90%

+2.95%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.00%

-18.69%

-3.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.00%

-24.52%

+2.52%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-33.99%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.40%

-1.38%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.77%

-3.67%

-1.10%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.03%

2.08%

-0.05%

Volatility

COWZ vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) has a higher volatility of 5.04% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.54%. This indicates that COWZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

COWZVOODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.04%

3.54%

+1.50%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.74%

10.10%

-1.36%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.91%

12.82%

-0.91%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.69%

16.93%

+0.76%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.86%

18.01%

+1.85%

COWZ vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

COWZ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

COWZ vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

COWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.85%, more than VOO's 1.07% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		1.85%2.19%1.82%1.92%1.96%1.48%2.54%1.96%1.67%1.95%0.13%0.00%
VOO
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF		1.07%1.13%1.24%1.46%1.69%1.25%1.54%1.88%2.06%1.78%2.02%2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

COWZ and VOO have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

COWZ has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to VOO (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COWZ dropped -38.63% vs VOO's -33.99%.

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 12.83% vs 10.98% for COWZ. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 12.83% return vs 10.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.85%, compared with 1.07% for VOO.

COWZ is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for COWZ and 0.03% for VOO.

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.53), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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